Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South each carry 3-2 records into Friday, Sept. 25, with both programs needing wins to stay in the playoff picture.
The Red Devils travel to York (3-2, 1-1 West Suburban Silver) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The Hornets host Glenbard West (3-2) at Duchon Field at the same time. Stats and matchup details below are drawn from Shaw Local's Friday Night Drive preview.
Central looks to keep rolling after rout
Hinsdale Central (0-2 in Silver play) snapped a two-game skid with a 44-0 win over Downers Grove South on Sept. 19, leading 42-0 at halftime. Junior quarterback Beau Gatewood, the program's first new starter since the 2022 season, has thrown for close to 1,000 yards through five games. Junior George Zilliox has emerged as one of his top targets.
On defense, senior Tommy Riordan anchors the line. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Iowa commit recorded 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2025.
"He's looking like somebody who's playing at Iowa next year. That's fun. He's impressive," head coach Brian Griffin said of Riordan in The Hinsdalean's preseason preview in August.
York presents a test. The Dukes return eight multi-game defensive starters, including Purdue commit Owen Roberts, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end. Senior quarterback Zack Assaad threw for 167 yards and two touchdowns in York's 24-21 loss at Oak Park-River Forest on Sept. 19, but the Dukes also committed 10 penalties for 80 yards and threw three interceptions. York beat Central 28-18 in 2025.
South rides three-game streak into Glenbard West
Hinsdale South enters with serious momentum. The Hornets have won three straight, topping Addison Trail and Willowbrook in West Suburban Gold play, and have averaged 45.3 points per game during the streak.
Senior quarterback Ben Miller has thrown for 800 yards and accounted for 16 total touchdowns behind an all-senior offensive line. Running back Marko Wallace has rushed for 455 yards at 8.4 yards per carry with three touchdowns. Wide receiver Koby Armstrong has 17 catches averaging nearly 27 yards per reception with six touchdowns, though Willowbrook held him without a catch on Sept. 19.
Glenbard West is no easy draw. The Hilltoppers routed the Hornets 63-0 last season and got back on track with a 37-16 road win over previously undefeated Lyons on Sept. 19. Running back Jaylen McMiller led that effort with 189 yards and a touchdown, while Ace Harris added 108 yards and a score. Glenbard West's defense was missing seven starters due to injury but still held up.
The Hornets went 2-7 in 2025 and have not made the playoffs since 2018. A win Friday would be a significant step toward ending that drought.
